[Nettime-bold] Woomera Actions_Special Report

["ricardo dominguez" <rdom@thing.net>]

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THING.NEWS          Woomera Actions_Special Report
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http://www.noborder.org/peoplesmuggler/

welcome to the virtual people smuggler :: destination woomera

the virtual people smuggler is a platform that enables
individuals to virtually participate in polical actions such
as protests. it磗 intended for those who want to support
these events, but who cannot join them offline for
whatever reasons. by virtualy participating you make
it known that you support the struggles being waged
during the event. as a virtual participant you can explain
the reasons for your participation, you can comment on the
things that happen at the offline event and and you can
communicate with other virtual participants.

the first installment of the virtual people smuggler
will take you to woomera (australia), where - during the
easter weekend of 2002 - a protest festival will address a
number of issues that are highlighted in this remote
town in the desert of southern australia: internment of
sans papier, indigenous struggles for land rights, uranium
mining, missile testing, toxic waste dumping, and military
surveillance.

Woomera is located in the Australian Desert, 500 kms
north of the nearest city of Adelaide. It is the site of
Australia磗 largest onshore internment camp for sans
papier arrivals and undocumented migrants. It has also been
the site of the most determined campaign for freedom,
with mass escapes, strikes, hunger-strikes and ongoing
protests - including attempts to dismantle the camp - since
it was built. There are currently around 1,000 people interned
there, without charge, without trial, and for an indefinite
period.

for more information on events that are planned in woomera
you can go to the festival磗 website.

http://www.woomera2002.com/

<<<MORE>>>

 http://www.melbourne.indymedia.org/

<<<MORE >>>

from "undercurrents" thread on bbs.thing.net

thread: undercurrents date: 2002-03-30
from: nicolaj@ozemail.com.au time: 04:44:39
subject: Re: [undercurrents] woomera protests

I had sworn that I would not turn the computer on
this  weekend but after 24 hours of CNN and BBC
and developments at Woomera I felt the urge to
come and spread some news. I tried to ring
protesters  on their mobiles but they磖e in the
middle of the desert...the more together Melbourne
action groups have got some up to date postings
http://www.melbourne.indymedia.org/

Here is an account of the last 24 hours when
1000 protesters broke down the perimeter fences....

Breaking the Cage, Detainees escape - Actions
continue at Woomera2002

Following a year of turmoil in Australian detention
centres, the woomera2002.com(mune) have had
much success over the last 48 hours.

Last night at 5:45 pm a call by detainees was
made for joint action inside and out of the
Woomera detention centre. The protestors
outside the camp broke through at least two
fences to actually reach the refugees. At this point,
41 to 46 detainees escaped. Since then 37
(possibly 39) have been recaptured in the last 20 hours.

The full story from last night by a desert.indymedia
representative. Photos from the action are available here.

The Government concedes that at least 8 detainees
are still at large, though they are having trouble
determining numbers becasue those in the camp
will not allow the counting process to occur. Sixteen
protestors have been arrested for "habouring escapees",
a charge that carries up to five years in jail. They will be
appearing at the Port Augusta Magistrate court on
Tuesday. Bail has been refused by the top levels
of government.

Last night the protestor磗 camp, about a kilometre
from the detention centre, was surrounded by police
and the Australian Protective Services (APS), and
no one was allowed to leave the camp without a
thorough ID check.

Today, protestors were trying to to take teddy bears
to the detainees, when they were confronted by APS,
but apparently were able to deliver their gifts.

Actions of Solidarity have happened in Scotland and Berlin

The Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs,
Phil Ruddock, recently issued statement that largely
laid the blame on bungling police and splits between
police on the Federal and State level and with APS.

There are still two more days of action. Analysis from
those on the ground and those watching the news
is strong and inspiring.

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http://bbs.thing.net
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